William Geoffrey "Bill" Baetz

I want to thank everyone for out pouring of love and support through this difficult time. I have lost my Husband, Friend, Soulmate and Partner on this road of life. He is irreplaceable. He always had a book with him no matter where he went. He loved the written word because your imagination could create a picture far better than a movie screen. But he had his favorite movies, One of which was the Magnificent Seven, as the morale of the movie it was the Farmers who where the real hero's not...

Bill provided a place for talented people to believe in themselves; an oasis of creativity in a vast cultural Sahara. He will be terribly missed.

Bill and Mary's store was a nook for so many. He welcomed and encouraged all he encountered. His writers' group brought together the diversity of his friends and made us all part of a whole. Leaving him and his group was among many reasons I hated to leave Jackson. Mary, I went through this 20 months ago so my thoughts are with you. As the song goes in "Cats," "I must think of a new life and I musn't give in. When the dawn comes, tonight will be a menory, too, and a new day will begin."
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What a big shock, I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Bill at JCC for a number of years before he retired, He always had a smile on his face and was a pleasure to be around. My son enjoyed spending time in his book store as he also is an avid reader and Bill always supported that in children. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. My prayers to his family during this sad time.

I don't know what else to say except that, like most everyone, I was shocked and saddened by the news. Bill was a good man, with a good story for every occasion... and even a story for no occasion at all. My sympathy goes out to Mary and the whole family, he'll definitely be missed.

Mary-Jan and I share your grief and offer our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies.Bill will be warmly missed by everyone .When Jan and I walked into your store five years ago ,we knew,here were kindred spirits whose company we would cherish for years .I am going to miss the pleasure of dropping in on Bill and getting lost[as my wife says}for hours in conversation,discussion,and debate on subjects we had in common.I know there are scores of people who feel the same way because Bill always...

I first met Bill & Mary at their house, well..it was their home at the time, a castle off of Draper Road near JCC. That must have been back in 1977. I remember Bill & Mary getting married. I also remember trying to blow myself up at the castle. Bill, Gene, & I going to the abandoned cememt factory in Cement City to play war games. Fond memories all of them. Sadly, we will miss him very much. His smile. His laugh. His fondness for his grandchildren. I may have only occassionally touched base...

Words can't really describe the shock that I'm sure we're all feeling right now...I still can't believe that this has happened...I'm glad to have had the chance to get to know him..My deepest condolences to Mary and their families...

Bill was a great guy and a good helper. He introduced me to a dear Polish lady and helped her get her book off the ground. He helped my husband network with writers he now calls friends. And he always made my daughter feel welcome in the store. Bill will be sorely missed.